W. Kiprop takes down G. Mutai in Eldoret XC

World Half marathon champion Wilson Kiprop overcame a strong challenge by Boston and New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai, World and Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop and Matthew Kisorio to win the senior men's 12Km race during the 21st edition of the Discovery Kenya Cross Country championship on Sunday (22).

The definite winner only became clear in the final lap when (Wilson) Kiprop upped the pace to drop three other challengers, among them the Olympic and World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop and Nickson Chepseba.

But Mutai and Kisorio managed to hang on until the last kilometre when the winner and Mutai managed to drop Kisorio. Kiprop blasted off in the last 200 metres to clinch the victory in 34:48.9.

Mutai took the second position in 34:53.0 and Kisorio was third in 35:04.0. Asbel Kiprop finished eighth in 35:35.4. He said he was using the race for a build up for track races in Australia next month.

“I have a 1500 metres race in Melbourne on 18 February and another 800 metros one in Sydney soon after. So this race was good for my endurance," Kiprop said.

This year's event attracted a record total 2155 runners. The junior men's 8km race had the highest number with 520 athletes, senior men's race had 410, senior women had 133 and junior women race 142 runners.

Joyce Jepkurui won the senior women's contest in 26:22.3 beating to second place Priscah Jeptoo (26:34.8) while third place went to Georgina Rono in 26:35.0.

The lead pack in the senior women's race remained together with marathoners controlling the pace until the last lap when the winner picked up the lead and dictated the proceedings to the end.

The Commonwealth and World youth 3000m champion Wiliam Malel and Africa Cross Country junior champion Japhet Korir electrified the Eldoret Sports Club venue with their close battle in the junior men's 8km race.

The two kept exchanging the lead before Malel finally carried the day in 23:03.2. Korir was second in 23:14.5 and third was Philemon Yator in 23:23.5.

Olympic Youth 3000m champion Gladys Chesir had the last laugh in the junior women's 6km contest. She clocked 20:10.7 beating Caroline Chepkoech (20:24.7) and Agnes Chebet who took third position in 20:34.5.

The event was attended, either as spectators of runners, by various people from outside Kenya among them the London Marathon organiser David Bedford.

Apart from the traditional categories, the event had also short races ranging from 500 metres to 4km for boys.